Belle Epoque (The Age of Beauty) 1992

     The setting of this film is in a sunny rural district of Spain in 1931.  Fernando is a young soldier and he deserts from the army.  He arrives at a country farm and Manolo the owner welcomes him.  They seem to have the same political ideas.  Manolo has four daughters, Rocio, Violeta, Clara and Luz.  Fernando begins to like all of the daughters.  They also like him but he needs to choose only one to love.

     There must be many cultural differences that we don’t understand?  Especially concerning social, political and literary references.  This is definitely not for younger viewers.  The scenery of the countryside is very beautiful.  3* (This movie is OK)

 

109 min, Drama directed by Fernando Trueba with Fernando Fernan Gomez, Jorge Sanz, Penelope Cruz, Miriam Diaz-Aroca, Gabino Diego, Michel Galabru, Ariadna Gil, Agustin Gonzalez, Chus Lampreave, Mary Carmen Ramirez, Miribel Verdu, Juan Jose Otegui, Jesus Bonilla.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 95% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, 4* out of 5* with 51 reviews on Amazon, Roger Ebert 3 ½*, Empire Online 3* out of 5*, Reel Views 3*, TCM average user 3.6* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Arruda dos vinhos, Azambuja, Sobral de Monte Agraco, Lisbon; Rios, Portugal; Estremoz, Portalegre, Portugal.  Director Fernando Trueba received an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.  This movie was filmed in Portugal because Trueba couldn’t find any place similar to what he had in mind in Spain.  Also, the use of the Portuguese location allowed him to empathize the tone of fable the story required.  Juanito serenades Rocio with Las Mananitas.  This song is used in Mexico instead of Happy Birthday to You.  Amalia sings En un pais de fibula from Pablo Sorozabal’s zarzuela La Tabernera del Puerto.  This zarzuela was first staged in 1936 before the time setting of this film.

Special Note:  The meaning of belle époque is golden age or renaissance.  The setting is between the end of the monarch and the rise of fascism.  There will be a terrible war and the country will be frozen in the Franco years.  Penelope Cruz was 20 years old 2 months after the films release.  This film won an Academy Award as best foreign film.